tender doxie paws

Question
Hi Nicole,
I adopted a 6 year old female doxie last weekend.  She is a puppy mill rescue (she will be spaed later this week).  She has tender paws and limps after she has run around the yard a couple of times.  The paws are slightly deformed, in that she only has two pads -  one for all four toes and one for the "main pad".  This pattern is present on all four feet.  This afternoon I noticed that the pads appear to be red in spots.  As she is getting spaed soon, what can I do until I get her to the vet?  Thanks for offering all your advice.
Leigh and Reba (the doxie)

Answer
Hi Leigh!

Douse the fire.Although your pets paws are tough and hard, they are not immune to burns-from friction,for example,or from standing on a hot surface.Any burn should be throughly cleaned with soap and warm water to prevent infection.Then dry the paw well with a soft towel.

Put on a soothing ointment.After giving a burned paw a good wash,sooth on an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment.Then cover it loosely with a light gauze bandage to keep it clean.To keep the gauze in place,cover it with a light cotton sock.

Watch out for dryness.Like people,pets will occasionally suffer from dry,cracked,callused skin on the bottoms of their feet.To keep the pads protected try applying a moisturizer.The same stuff you use on your hands will work for your pet.Vitamin E oil in drugstores,also works well.
   Once you've applied a moisturizer,the big trick is to keep them from lickin it off.Put the oil on at mealtime.They'll eat first,so the oil will have some time to soak in,
   Occasionally,if your pet has thick,uncomfortable buildup of dry,roughened callus,your vet may recommend bringing her in to have the callus trimmed.

I hope this has been helpful and I wish you the best of luck!Please keep me posted and give that Doxie girl millions of kisses for me!Sending wagging tails your way!
Nicole